Bitou Municipality

Deputy Mayor Jessica Kam-Kam

www.bitou.gov.za Design by: Bitou Communications Anchor projects

• Bitou Bio Domes • Robberg Cultural Bridge • “Coming Together” Project • Bitou Airport Precinct Project description ⸙ Development of a multi-faceted biomimicry Edu-tourism attraction as the eastern gateway to the Bitou Bio-Domes ⸙ The bio-wise approach to the design and development of this attraction is entirely informed and guided by the environment and this will set a precedent nationally and internationally for truly responsible and regenerative tourism ⸙ The proposed site is located in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Its previous use was as a clay brick quarry. ⸙ Whist restoring a degraded quarry into a premier tourism attraction has been done before at the Eden Project in , doing so through the practice of biomimicry provides a unique opportunity that will generate global interest. …continued

⸙ The biomimicry approach to the design and development of this attraction is entirely informed and guided by the environment and this will set a precedent nationally and internationally for truly responsible and regenerative tourism ⸙ It is accessed via the N2 highway approximately 16km northeast of Plettenberg Bay ⸙ The location makes the attraction the perfect eastern gateway to the Bitou Bio- Domes, Garden Route and it’s access directly off the N2 makes it very easily reached by all. ⸙ Adjacent to the site is the Kurland local community, part informal settlement and part township ⸙ Potential to create numerous permanent jobs Bitou Bio-domes Crags Project a global garden for the 21 st century & a sustainable future fast facts: location: Entry to Cape Garden Route site: dilapidated mine land area: 16 hectares/ 30 acres three biomes: tropical: 1.56h 55m (h) x 100m (w) x 200m (l) mediterranean: 0.654h 35m (h) x 65m (w) x 135m(l) outdoor: 12h plants: 250 000 species build cost: £86 million asset value: 2010- £140 million visitor numbers: Planned break-even: 500 000 Planned best case: 750 000 Actual first year 1 970 000 2009 1028264 a top-ten paid tourist destination in the UK revenue: 75% customers 25% other £20mill p.a.; multiplier £100mill guest profile (2002): +45’s, affluent, educated dwell time: 4 hours

Timeline: Interesting Facts 1996: Conception 1998: Construction 2000: Visitor centre 2001: Full opening March 17 • Team up with Eden 2002: location Project; Cornwall 2002: Eden sessions: , James • Develop Africa Bio- Morrison, dome 2005: concert series “africa calling” • Support form 2005: Time of gifts project- Ice rink over lake Government at all 2008: Eden sessions: Verve, , KT levels and Garden Tunstall Route Biosphere. 2009: Eden sessions: Oasis 2010: Eden sessions: Jack Johnson, Mumford & sons 2011: Eden sessions: , , 2012: Eden sessions: , Blink-182, Eco Dramatic building Effect

Eco Design/ Eco Education

land art tart art roborobo----artart fairy art scary art performance art Design and installation art Entertainment possibilities –

Fun on Ice Bitou Bio-domes

educate, innovate, generate

research facility: agricultureagriculture----food & industrial, Mari culture, green tech

african knowledge and culture centre

spacespace----exhibition, performance, conference Bitou BioBio----DomesDomes ((EEEEdenden Africa)Africa)----what it will do

. massive PRPRPR

. 500 construction jobs

. 450 permanent jobs plus 200 more in peak times . . must see N2 attraction ---foreign and local

. dwell timetime----means overnight staystay----hotels, B & B’s, lodges. benefit

. Conference space

. relationshipsrelationships----art, culture, science, exhibits Tick boxes: • Eco awareness • Bio-wise • Tourism- business & leisure • Film Industry – prime location (Robinson Crusoe/Tomb Raider, Black Sails….) • Education and science • Sustainability • Iconic • Huge multiplier effect Bitou Bio-Domes: Way Forward

Investment Indaba – August 2017 • agree on the thinking • community participation/ consultation • financial implications • protecting local benefits • approach partners • Investor Priority THE BUZZ

Errol Finkelstein: Mr. Shaun Moses Deputy Director: Regional Industrial Chairman: Garden Route Development Biosphere Chairman: Keurbooms Special Economic Zones & Economic Estuary Forum Transformation Chairman: Bitou River By-law - The concept seems very interesting Advisory Forum and from the responses so far it seems - Albert Ackhurst wrote; Sue Swain that there is a lot of potential for of Biowise - “Eden Discovery Park” enhancing the economic growth of the region. - I would also suggest to include the Garden Route Biosphere Reserve in - Dep of Small Business Development this think-tank in order to garner their valuable knowledge and capacity in conceptualising, promoting and support fund raising for such a project. “Coming Together” Project

Project List • Kwano Precinct • Lower CBD Precinct • Marine Way Housing Precinct • New Town Precinct

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

• Bitou Municipality’s various service departments are currently spread over a number of offices scattered around the town of Plettenberg Bay, and the municipality now intends to assess the feasibility of the establishment of a consolidated working environment in order to improve efficiency, accessibility and service delivery for the residents and community of Bitou Municipality. • The land and building that becomes available in this process will be put to private investors to create and enable economic development.

Afrikaaps

• Bring the people closer to services • Integrate communities • Increase the investment potential • Make prime land sites available • Grow the economy • Develop a world class economy

ROBBERG CULTURAL BRIDGE PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

• The broad strokes involve the construction of a world-class interpretive centre describing the history of the Griqua nation, as well as highlighting the rich palaeontology along the coastline left behind by early man. • The proposal is to construct an accommodation facility which would feed the conference facility, as well as providing accommodation to those cultural tourists who would want to explore the history of the coastline. • Although the original intention was for a forty bed lodge, the project scoping suggests that a 400 bed hotel would be more suited to making the conference venue viable. AIRPORT PRECINCT PROJECT DESCRIPTION

• The Project requires the appropriate development of the facility to accommodate air traffic that does not compromise the nature of the town should be carefully managed over a 10, 20, and 30- year timeline. • Appropriate mechanisms can be put in place for the development of the terminal building with properly qualified partners, again on a build-operate-transfer basis. • The project also requires partnering with service providers tat can bring expert technical and legal skills, access to resources, and well-established supplier networks to the airport. • Development possibilities include a 250-meter runway extension, a new terminal building, development of new hangars, a light industrial park, improved let-down facilities, and an extension of the ramp and parking facilities. Other opportunities Blue Flag Beaches Our biggest Asset www.bitou.gov.za Design by: Bitou Communications